Step 5: Finishing

Step 4: Decreasing

You have about 2 inches left to go, and you need to reduce the number of stitches down to a small number, ideally in the ten to fifteen range. Decrease one each X stitches every Y rows, and let X and Y get smaller as you go along. I decreased within my 2x2 rib pattern as below (you'll want to work out a decrease strategy that fits with the pattern you're knitting). Really I just worked it out as I went along. Knitting is stretchy and forgiving and it's hard to go very wrong.

First decrease row: purl 2 together every other 'ditch', or each 7th & 8th stitch. This brings the number of stitches down by an eighth.

Knit 4 rows around without decreasing, matching the new 2,2,2,1 rib pattern.

Second decrease row: purl 2 together every remaining 2-stitch 'ditch', or each 6th & 7th stitch. Now I'm down to three quarters of my original number of stitches, and a 2x1 rib pattern.

Knit 3 rows around without decreasing, in 2x1 rib.

See how it's going? Next, knit 2 together every other raised rib (5th & 6th stitch). Knit 2 around. Knit the rest of the knit pairs together to get a 1x1 rib. Somewhere around here you'll find the circular needles are too big for the number of stitches you have, and you'll want to switch over to the double-pointed.

Decrease every row from here on out, knitting 2 together every few stitches each row until you've got only a few left.

Nice! I admire people who can knit. I always get mad and quit in the middle of something like this. :D

I have tried many times to knit a larger project than hats or scarves, but I only once completed a full sweater. And it didn't even have sleeves! I'm trying again now, actually, in another colorway of this yarn which I really love. We'll see how far I get!

not to be a fact nazi, but wouldn't a sweater without sleeves be a vest?<br>PS: thanks for the knitting 'ible, I learned how in 7th grade but I could only do the garter stitch, and i forgot most of it.

I guess how much you need a pattern depends on the complexity of the finished project. A candle-flame lace scarf for example.

I hope this doesn't sound too silly, but is there an instructable that shows the basic knitting stitches?